Larson Sales Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

Page 1U.S. Department of Transportation Washinglon, D.C 400 Seventh Sireel, S.W 20590 DEC 3 1002 Mr. Robert J. Kilian Larson Sales Company Ref. No. 98-0294 Park Ridge Office Center Building 1, Suite 230 Pittsburgh, PA 15275 Dear Mr. Kilian: This is in response to your letter dated September 16, 1998, regarding the applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to ferrosilicon with 75 percent silicon. The HMR govern the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce. Under 49 CFR 173.22, it is the shipper's responsibility to properly classify a hazardous material. Such determinations are not required to be verified by this office. Based on the test results you provided, it is our opinion that the ferrosilicon imported by your company does not meet the criteria of a Division 4.3 and provided it does not meet any other hazard class, it is not subject to the HMR. I hope this satisfies your reguest. Sincerely, • Iransportation Regulations Specialist Office of Hazardous Materials Standards - 12101#

Page 2BAH LARSON SALES COMPANY 172.101 Park Ridge Office Center • Bullding 1 • Sulte 230 • Pitteburgh, PA 15275 Phone 412-787-8611 • Fex 412-787-8627 (Perro) 98-0294 September 16, 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Special Programs Administration Otfice of Hazardous Materials Standards 100 Seventh stree 20590-0001 Washington, D.C. Attn: Mr. Delmer F. Billings Dear Mr. Billings: Larson Sales Company is an importer of 75% Ferrosilicon from South African producer Rand Carbide. Mccreath & Son, Inc. test this material in accordance with No Standard 173, Appendix E, Division 4.3 (Dangerous when of Division 4.3 (Dangerous when wet) material. Test results wet) and have found this material does not meet the criteria are attached. hazardous materials regulation (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) Please confirm subject material is not applicable under the for ferrosilicon between 30 and 90 percent silicon. If you have any questions on the above, please call me at 412-787-4212. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, LARSON SALES COMPANY Tkat1 Klin Robert J. Kilian vice President RJK/dmz Attachment#

Page 3610 Willow Street Andrew S. MeCreath & Son, Ine. P.O. Box 1453 Harrisburg, PA 17105-1453 ANALYTICAL AND CONSULTING CHEMISTS Telex: 84-2321 Telephone: (717) 238-9331 Fax: (717) 238-4843 September 8, 1998 To Whom It May Concern: Hold #1 2nd Aft Ref. #3527-P Gentlemen: The sample of 75% Ferro Silicon 2" x ½", taken by us on Auigust 25 - 27, 1998, ex: M/V "DARYA SHUBH" - 1,244.572 Metric Tons, which discharged at Reserve, Louisiana, was tested in accordance with DOT Standard 173, Appendix E, Division 4.3 (Dangerous when wet material). Results are as follows: Spontaneous Ignition Test Division 4.3 a (1) No Spontaneous Ignition Division 4.3 a (2) Division 4.3 a (3) No Spontaneous Merition Gas Evolution Measurement Total volume in Ml each hour. Time Interval Test 1 Test 2 Test3 1 Hour 0.40 Mi 0.30 Mi 2 Hour 0:40 Mi 0.50 MI 0.40 MI 3 Hour • 0.40 MI 0.60 MI 0.40 MI 4 Hour 0.40 MI 0.60 MI 0.40 MI 5 Hour 0.40 MI 0.60 MI 0.40 MI 0.40 MI 7 Hour 6 Hour 0.60 MI 0.40 MI 0.40 MI 0.60 MI 240 MI 2.40 MI Total 0.60 MI 0.40 MI 0.40 MI#

Page 4- • Page No. 2 September 8, 1998 DOT Test M/ "DARYA SHUBH" Maximum Rate - 0.016 liter/hour/kilogram Average Rate - 0.003 liter/hour/kilogram Yours very truly, ANDREW S. McCREATH & SON, INC.#